Page 84 of Point of No Return

All I can do is hope that when push comes to shove, I have the strength to do what needs to be done. Even if it means killing anything and anyone that stands in my way.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Charlotte

When the patio door creaks open the next morning, I’m surprised to see that it’s Aleks who steps outside. He holds two mugs of coffee in his hands, offering me one carefully.

“This seat taken?”

I’m exhausted from lack of sleep, but I still manage to take the mug without spilling it. “Did you make this like your brother does?” When I see the creamer in it, I grin, sipping from it. Warmth floods my mouth, and I nearly sigh as I motion him forward. “Then no. Please sit.”

I’m glad for the warmth of it, cradling it to my chest and pulling my knees up on my seat as he takes the chair beside me. Birds chirp loudly in the morning light, hopping from tree branch to tree branch. We’re both quiet as we watch, but I can tell he’s just unsure of what to say.

“You hurt your foot,” he croaks, and I’m all too aware of the bandage I freshly changed this morning. I can still vividly remember just a few nights ago when we’d been in the kitchen. I’d never seen him so angry and careless andmean.

I frown, sipping my coffee without looking at him. “Cut it on glass.”

“That was my fault,” he’s terse when he says it. “I’m sorry… Not just about the glass or the yelling.”

Looking over at him, it’s hard to miss the way he swallows.Effort, I realize. He’s putting effort into this, and my heart softens a fraction.

“I appreciate the apology.”

“I’ll take it,” he laughs, and I can’t help but smile. But I glance at his forearm and spot the new ink design tattooed there, and my curiosity piques.

“When did you get this?” I reach for his arm, gently turning it so I can fully see the outline of a serpent wrapping around his forearm.

“Yesterday actually. Skar and I went to a shop last night and…” He looks at the fresh ink and smiles. “I thought about getting a dragon for Dad. But I’ve always liked the serpent thing, so.”

“It’s badass,” I tell him, and it gets something of a laugh out of him.

“I uh- I thought about staying in today. I can let Skar work on the boat… We can watch some movies, swim. What do you think?”

“You mean you’re not taking me to the gym with you today?”

He gives me a white-toothed grin. “Nah. My brother’s more than ten years older than me, but he has the stamina of a teenager. I’m beat.”

I try to brush the comment off, but my mind immediately wanders into darker territory.I know Skar spends a lot of time working out.

I try my best not to picture it.God dammit-

“I’m a bit restless, but maybe I’ll watch a movie or two.”

He scratches his head, his smile sheepish. “God, I didn’t even think about that. You’re probably dying to get out of the house.”

I shrug. “Provincial life of a housewife, unfortunately.”

“Do you ever get tired of it? Never getting out?”

“More and more everyday. Vacation is nice… Really nice, but…” I trail off, hating that I sound like an ungrateful prude.

“It gets old,” he supplies, nodding.That’s the understatement of the year. “What do you like to do?”

“I…”

The question leaves me dumbstruck.What do I like to do?What do I like to do?Do I even know?I’ve never done anything except what I’ve been told.

“I like… reading. And running.”I think. I’ve enjoyed it now that I have the time for it. “I’m good at finding things. Or people. In Prevya, before… My people were known for it.”

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